33 Chapter 34: BugBears (1/2)

After a few hours of rest, Ariel was the first to wake up.

”Mn...” She let out as she opened her small eyes

She looked around and noticed that she had fallen asleep

”John?” She muttered

”Yes?” I asked

”Nothing... Can I stay like this until Serena wakes up..?” She asked

”Isn't it uncomfortable?”

”No... John is soft, like a pillow.” She said

”I don't know how to feel about that.”

She kept her head on my shoulder as she continued to talk

”John... There's a lot I don't know about you... And since you've always helped me, I thought it would be better not to ask... But if you ever want to talk about it, you can tell me.” She said

”Hm... Thanks. But don't worry, everything I told you and Serena are pretty much everything I know. I lost all my memories and I met you.” I said

”John... What would you do if... Your memories returned...” Ariel asked

”Hmm... I don't know. But I'm sure nothing would change. I'd keep travelling with you guys around the world. If I had a master then I'd probably stop by any kingdom he'd be at and say hi. But I wouldn't leave the party if that's what you're wondering” I replied

”Mn... do you remember your promise..? When we were at the inn?” She muttered

Promise... The one I made when we were at the inn. Where I said I wouldn't leave her?

”How I promised to never leave you?” I asked

”Yeah... About that... John has always been helping me... You taught me how to use magic... You helped me when I lost everything and even now you continue to take care of me... I want to stay with john but It feels like I'm being selfish and forcing you to stay with me...” Said Ariel as tears streamed down her eyes

So she's felt this way...

”D-Don't be stupid, I'm staying with you because I want to. Don't ever put it in your mind, that you're forcing me. I made that promise because I wanted to stay with you. Did you forget about all the help you've given me so far? We're a party we're supposed to help each other!” I said

This girl, she can be so ignorant to the number of things she does, even recently she protected me from the spider's attack... What is she an idiot?

”John...” She muttered

”And you can be more selfish, We're a party so we're supposed to tolerate each other. If there are any selfish demands you want to make, let them out. Sure, we might argue or I might not like them. But I want you to be yourself and we're a party so...” I Said

Just get to the point!

”In other words! just be as selfish as you want! That won't change the fact that you're my precious partner!” I added on

Seeing as how I was desperately trying to cheer her up, Ariel let out a giggle

”Did I sound that stupid..?” I muttered

As her thin slender fingers held on to my cheeks, her deep dark eyes looked directly at me. I could feel my heartbeat getting faster and faster

”Yeah, we're a party, after all, we'll get to go on many adventures together and experience many new things. So... Basically... Don't ever leave me...” I said with slightly red cheeks

”I won't! I promise!” Said Ariel with reddened cheeks and a bright smile on her face

Ariel's mood had completely changed, she looked relieved and happy thanks to our conversation.

”Mnn,” Said Serena as she stretched out her arms

Thanks to all the noise we made from talking, Serena finally woke up

”This is... Someone's shoulder... Did I fall asleep?!” Said Serena as she looked up at my face

This girl is always so full of energy

”Good morning. or night, I'm not sure what it is.” I said

”I-I'm sorry I fell asleep.” Said Serena as she got up

”It's fine. You both used up quite a lot of mana after all.” I said

”Ariel, fell asleep too?” She asked

”Yeah,” Ariel replied as she also got up

”How come you're full of energy? Wait... You didn't do anything to us when we were asleep did you!?” Asked Serena with a worried expression

”Huh!? Who do you take me for!? Is that really what you're supposed to be assuming to the guy who kept watch for you?!” I asked

”But it's precisely because you're a guy that I'm assuming that!” She replied

”I didn't do anything to you in the Inn before so why would I do it now!?” I added

”Y-You have a point... And you're a kid too... Sorry, I was getting worried for nothing.” She said

”I'm 3 years younger than you...” I replied

This body is 12 after all. Although since I was 14, so I'm guessing spiritually that makes me one year younger.

”A kid is still a kid.” She replied

”That's quite a lot of talk coming from someone who even adults mistake for a kid,” I replied

”Y-You! You did not just go there!” She said with an embarrassed expression

”I wanna join too!” Said, Ariel

The two of us were taken aback at the sudden comment of Ariel

”Wha- What do you mean by that Ariel?” I Asked

”I said, I want to join too. You guys always look like you're having fun whenever you're arguing so...” She replied

”I-Is that so...” I muttered

Thanks to Ariel's sudden comment, I no longer felt like Arguing. I looked over to Serena and even she looked surprised.

”M-Maybe next time. I-If you want to join in an argument you need to find a reason... It doesn't just happen naturally.” I replied

”O-Okay...” Said Ariel with a saddened expression

”More importantly, are you sure you don't need any rest? You were awake all this time, weren't you?”